Crowd control stick

ABSTRACT

An electric shock weapon is disclosed for use by officers in maintaining order at public gatherings and for other crowd control applications. The invention is embodied in an electrified stick or in an electrified garment worn by the user. The device comprises at least one pair of exposed conductors which are connected across a high voltage power supply and adapted to be simultaneously engaged with the anatomy of a would-be assailant and thus to ward off or cause retreat of such person. In order to give warning of the character of the device, and to lend a menacing appearance, a sparking device is disposed on the weapon and connected across the high voltage power supply to provide a spark discharge. In the embodiment of the invention in an electrified stick a grip portion is provided at the rear end and a slidable insulating sleeve is disposed over a portion of the conductors and movable to the forward end of the stick to provide an auxiliary gripping portion for two-handed use of the stick. The high voltage power supply preferably comprises a capacitor discharge system comprising a battery energized transistor inverter and a voltage doubler connected across a storage capacitor, with a self-switching discharge circuit connected with an induction coil which in turn is connected with the exposed conductors on the device. A timing circuit and a silicon controlled rectifier are employed in the self-switching discharge circuit.

United States Patent Jordan CROWD CONTROL STICK [75] Inventor: RichardJames Jordan, Roseville,

[52] US. Cl. 231/2 E, 273/84 [51] Int. Cl B68h 11/00 [58] Field ofSearch 231/2 E; 273/84; 307/106; 321/2, 15

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,981,465 4/1961 Bartel231/2 E 3,243,683 3/1966 Ackley 321/2 3,259,829 7/1966 Feth 321/153,362,711 l/l968 Larsen et al. 273/84 3,662,185 5/1972 Sapir 307/1063,722,788 3/1973 Petrecz 231/2 E Primary Examiner-l-lugh R. ChambleeAttorney, Agent, or FirmReising, Ethington & Perry [57] ABSTRACT Anelectric shock weapon is disclosed for use by offi- 1 June 25, 1974 cersin maintaining order at public gatherings and for other crowd controlapplications. The invention is embodied in an electrified stick or in anelectrified garment worn by the user. The device comprises at least onepair of exposed conductors which are connected across a high voltagepower supply and adapted to be simultaneously engaged with the anatomyof a wouldbe assailant and thus to ward off or cause retreat of suchperson. In order to give warning of the character of the device, and tolend a menacing appearance, a sparking device is disposed on the weaponand connected across the high voltage power supply to provide a sparkdischarge. In the embodiment of the invention in an electrified stick agrip portion is provided at the rear end and a slidable insulatingsleeve is disposed over a portion of the conductors and movable to theforward end of the stick to provide an auxiliary gripping portion fortwo-handed use of the stick. The high voltage power supply preferablycomprises a capacitor discharge system comprising a battery energizedtransistor inverter and a voltage doubler connected across a storagecapacitor, with a self-switching discharge circuit connected with aninduction coil which in turn is connected with the exposed conductors onthe device. A timing circuit and a silicon controlled rectifier areemployed in the self-switching discharge circuit.

19 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 1 CROWD CONTROL STICK This inventionrelates to crown control devices and more particularly to devicesadapted to be wielded or worn by officers charged with maintaining orderat public gatherings.

I-leretofore it has been proposed to equip billies or night sticks withmeans for impressing an electrical shock on persons who would grasp orotherwise engage such devices in opposing the officer wielding the same.The prior art devices have been wanting in several respects and hencethe usage thereof has been quite limited. A particular problem has beenthat of providing the required high voltage for a sufficiently longperiod of time from a readily portable lightweight battery energizedpower supply. Another difficulty in the prior art is that of theinability of the device to deliver sustained repetitive shocking pulseswithout manual intervention when the high voltage conductors are held bythe assailant. Another problem in the prior art is that of facilitatinguse of the electrified stick in a two-handed manner for pushingassailants as officers are trained to do, because of the need for anonshocking auxiliary handgrip portion near the outer end of the stick.Such a nonshocking grip portion has been undesirable because it makes iteasier for an assailant to wrest the stick from the officer.

The subject invention provides for greatly prolonged battery life withan electrical circuit which sustains operation with the high voltageconductors in short circuit, open circuit or a spark discharge mode ofoperation. Furthermore, the circuit is adapted to operate in afreerunning or self-switching mode so that repetitive high voltage.impulses are delivered without manual intervention, even when the highvoltage conductors are short circuited. Further, the subject inventionprovides for the application of a train of high voltage pulses which aresubstantially uniform in voltage value and energy per pulse. This isaccomplished by use of a ca pacitor discharge system with an inductioncoil having its primary winding connected to the capacitor through aself-actuating switching means which is closed when the capacitorbecomes charged. A charging circuit for recharging the capacitorincludes a battery energized inverter which is coupled to the capacitorthrough a voltage doubler. Preferably the self-actuating switching meanstakes the form of a thyristor having its gate connected with a timingcircuit and its output being selfquenched by the associated circuits.Such a high voltage power supply is preferably provided in a separatecontainer and is connected with the high voltage conductors through aflexible cable. The power supply is admirably suited to high voltageconductors incorporated in a stick or incorporated in a garment or anitem of apparel worn by the user.

The invention also provides as an optional feature a visible and noisyspark discharge to not only warn a would-be assailant of the characterof the device but also to lend a menacing appearance to the device. Thisis accomplishd by connecting a pair of spark gap electrodes across thehigh voltage supply and locating the same in a prominent position on thedevice. In a preferred embodiment of the invention in an electrifiedstick the electrodes are disposed at the outer end of the stick and oneelectrode is formed as a light reflector so that the spark isprominently visible. The psychological affect of the sparkdischarge isenhanced by the combined brightness and noise, which is achieved fromthe repetitive impulses produced by a capacitor discharge system.

The invention additionally provides an electrified stick which willapply an electric shock to an assailant who touches it anywhere near theouter end and yet which provides an auxiliary handgrip portion for theuser at the outer end. This is accomplished by means of a slidableinsulating sleeve fitted over the stick and electric conductors thereonand being movable from a position near the handgrip portion at the rearof the stick to the outer end thereof.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention in an electrified stick,the stick itself is of wooden structure and supports plural pairs ofconductors extending from the handle portion to the outer end. A firstset of alternate conductors are connected to a common electricalconnector adjacent the handle portion with the common connector takingthe form of a metallic ring in en gagement with each of the first set ofconductors. A second set of alternate conductors are connected togetherthrough a second common connector which preferably takes the form of aring portion in engagement therewith at the outer end of the stick. Aspark gap is formed at the outer end of the stick by a first electrodeformed integrally with the second connector and a second electrodespaced from the first to form an annular spark gap and having a leadwire extending centrally of the stick and connected by a radial pin toone of the first set of conductors. Thus the plural sets of conductorsand the spark gap are energized from high voltage power supply leads ina central bore of the stick by radially extending pins engagingrespectively one of the first and second sets of conductors. In thisconstruction the entire electrical circuit within the stick is achievedby mechanical engagement without the need for solder connections.Additionally, the slidable insulating sleeve is constrained between thefirst and second connector rings mounted on the stick.

A more complete understanding; of the invention may be obtained from thedetailed description that follows, taken with the accompanying drawingsin which:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of the invention embodied in an electrifiedstick;

FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of the high voltage power pp y FIG. 3 showsthe reverse side of the high voltage power supply;

FIG. 4 shows the invention embodied in a garment;

FIG. 5 is a view partially in section of the electrified stick depictedin FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a view taken on lines '6-6 of FIG. 5; and,

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the high voltage power supply.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown an illustrative embodimentof the invention in an electric shock weapon which is especially adaptedfor use by an officer or other person for controlling a crowd ormaintaining order at a public gathering.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate the invention in an electrified stick which,in general configuration, resembles the conventional billy used bypolicemen. The device comprises a stick 10 constructed of insulatingmaterial, preferably wood, which is formed with the handle 12 and ashank 14. The handle 12 or grip portion is provided with a wrist strap16 secured in an annular slot and is also provided with flutes 18, ifdesired, to facilitate gripping of the handle. The shank 14 is providedwith a plurality elongated conductors 22 and 24 which are arranged inpairs and extend longitudinally of the shank in spaced relation. It isnoted that each of the conductors is suitably of circular cross-sectionand is inlaid by about one-half diameter into the surface of the shank.A first set of alternate conductors 24 are electrically connectedtogether by a common connector in the form of a metallic ring 26disposed over the stick and securing the conductors thereon. A secondset of alternate conductors 22 are electrically connected together atthe outer end of the stick by a common connector having a ring portion28 disposed over the end of the stick in securing relation with theconductors 22. It is noted that the conductors 22 are axially spacedfrom the ring 26 and the conductors 24 are axially spaced from the ringportion 28.

In order to electrify or energize the pairs of conductors 22 and 24, ahigh voltage power supply is provided in a separate container or case30. The output of the high voltage power supply is connected through aflexible cable 32 to an electrical connector 34 in the base or rear endof the stick. The power supply is provided with an on-off switch 36readily accessible on the case 30. Additionally, the case is providedwith a window 38 for display of a pilot lamp to indicate the on-offcondition of the high voltage power supply. On the back side of the case30 a hanger or bracket 40 is provided to support the case from areceptacle adapted to be carried on a belt worn by the user of thedevice. The bracket 40 is provided with a pair of electrical terminals42 and 44 for connection with a battery charger receptacle when thedevice is not in use.

Referring now to FIGS. and 6, further details of construction of thestick will be described. The conductors 22 and 24, as previously noted,are suitably of circular cross-section and are preferably of relativelystiff metallic wire in order to withstand rough treatment. One terminalof the high voltage power supply is connected through the cable 32 andconnector 34 to a pin 48 and thence through the body of a connector 50in the base of the stick to a rigid conductor 52 extending through anaxial bore in the stick. A radially extending conductive pin 54 isdisposed in a radial passage in the stick between the conductor 52 andone of the conductors 24. All of the conductors 24 are electricallyconnected together through the ring 26. in a similar manner the otherterminal of the high voltage power supply is connected through the cable32, connector 34 to a pin 58 and thence through the connector 50 to arigid conductor 60 in the bore of the stick. A radially extendingconductor pin 62 is disposed between the inner end of the conductor 60and one of the conductors 22. All of the conductors 22 are electricallyconnected together through the ring portion 28.

In order to provide a warning to a would-be assailant of the characterof the electrified stick and to impart a menacing appearance, a sparkingdevice 64 is provided on the exterior of the stick at a prominentposition. As shown in FIG. 5, the sparking device 64 comprises a firstelectrode portion 66 which is formed integrally with the ring portion 28with the two portions together constituting an end cap fitted over theend of the stick. The electrode portion 66 is of concave configurationand is preferably of a bright metal to provide a reflective surface. Anelectrode 68 of disc shape is disposed centrally of the electrodeportion 66 and forms an annular spark gap therewith. The electrode 68 isspaced from the electrode portion 66 by an insulating washer 70 and isprovided with a stem or lead-in conductor 72 which extends through anopening in the electrode portion 66 into an axial bore in the stick. Theelectrode 68 is connected through the lead-in conductor 72 and a pin 74extending therefrom to one of the conductors 24 and thence to oneterminal of the high voltage power supply. The electrode portion 66 isconnected through the ring portion 28 to the conductors 22 and thence tothe other terminal of the high voltage power supply.

It will now be appreciated that with the terminals of the power supplyconnected with the pins 48 and 58 on the stick 10, the sets ofconductors 22 and 24 will have the high voltage of the power supplyimpressed therebetween. The conductors 22 and 24 are spaced sufficientlyto prevent spark discharge therebetween through the air in use of thestick. However, the conductors are spaced close enough so thatengagement of the shank of the stick with the anatomy of a person, willmost likely cause simultaneous contact of a pair of con ductors 22 and24 so that a localized high voltage electric shock is applied to theperson. The high voltage power supply connected across the electrodes 66and 68 of the sparking device 64, and the length of the spark gap formedthereby are such to cause an intense spark discharge. It is noted thatthe spark discharge across the spark gap, which is in parallel with thepairs of conductors 22 and 24, serves to regulate and limit the voltageacross the pairs of conductors 22 and 24.

In order to permit the user of the stick to grasp it in a two-handedmanner a slidable sleeve of insulating material is disposed over theshank of the stick. The sleeve 80 is an auxiliary handgrip and providesa gripping portion long enough to accommodate a persons hand and may bepositioned along the shank of the stick over the conductors 22 and 24 asdesired. In single-handed use of the stick the sleeve 80 would normallybe parked at the rear portion adjacent connector ring 26 which serves asa stop for the sleeve. This leaves the conductors 22 and 24 exposed atthe outer end of the stick for contacting persons opposing the stick.When the user desires to use the stick in a two-handed manner he merelygrasps the sleeve with his other hand and slides it toward the outer endof the stick. The user is fully insulated from the high voltage of theconductors 22 and 24 by the sleeve in any position thereof on the shankof the stick. The connector ring portion 28 serves as a stop for thesleeve at the outer end of the stick.

The high voltage power supply circuit for the electrified stick is shownin schematic form in FIG. 7. This circuit is disclosed and claimed in mycopending patent application Docket P603 filed on even date herewith andassigned to the same assignee as the present invention and entitled HighVoltage Pulse Generating Circuit. The power supply circuit comprises, ingeneral, a transistor inverter which supplies alternating voltage to avoltage doubler 112, which in turn delivers charging current to astorage capacitor 114. The storage capacitor is connected with a voltagetransforming means 116 through a thyristor 118. The thyristor isconnected with control means 120 which turns on the thyristor atcontrolled intervals to discharge the capacitor 114 and thereby develophigh voltage impulses across the output of the voltage transformingmeans 16.

Considering the circuit in greater detail, the inverter 110 suitablytakes the form of a conventional pushpull transistor oscillator. Assuch, it comprises a pair of NPN power transistors 122 and 124, a directvoltage source such as a battery 126 and an output transformer 128. Thetransistor 122 has its output circuit from collector to emitterconnected across the battery 126 through an on-off switch 130 and aprimary winding 132 of the transformer 128. Similarly, the transistor124 has its output extending from collector to emitter connected acrossthe battery 126 through the switch 130 and a primary winding 134, whichhas one terminal in common with one terminal of the primary winding 132and constituting a center tap on the combined windings 132 and 134. Thetransistor 122 has an input circuit from base to emitter, including aresistor 136 and a feedback winding 138. A forward bias for thetransistor 122 is provided by a voltage divider comprising a resistor140 and the resistor 136. Similarly, the transistor 124 has an inputcircuit extending from base to emitter through a resistor 142 and afeedback winding 144. A forward bias is provided for this transistor bya voltage divider comprising a resistor 1416 and the resistor 142. Theoutput transformer 128 is also provided with a secondary winding 148which, in operation of the oscillator, produces an output alternatingvoltage.

The operationof a transistor inverter of the type described iswell knownand need not be described in detail. Suffice it to say that upon closureof the switch 130, both of the transistors 122 and 124 are forwardlybiased and both become conductive. However, because of inherent circuitunbalance one becomes more conductive than the other through itsassociated primary winding and consequently positive feedback to thattransistor through the associated feedback winding drives thattransistor quickly into saturation and the induced voltage in feedbackwinding of the other transistor drives it to cut-off. When currentsaturation is reached in the first transistor, the feedback voltage isreduced to zero and the decreasing current in the primary winding of theconductive transistor results in collapse of the magnetic flux and areversal of polarity of the induced voltages in the feedback windings.Accordingly, the first transistor is cut-off and the other transistorbecomes conductive and is driven to current saturation. This cycle ofoperation is repetitive at a frequency determined by the parameters ofthe oscillator circuit and consequently an alternating voltage isdeveloped across the output terminals of the secondary winding 148. Asis well known, the output voltage has a some what rectangular waveformdue to the rapid switching characteristics of the transistors 122 and124.

The voltage doubler 112 is adapted to charge the storage capacitor 114toward a voltage value equal to twice the peak value of the alternatingvoltage of the secondary winding 148. For this purpose the voltagedoubler comprises a first rectifying diode 1152, connected in serieswith a holding capacitor 154 across the secondary winding 148. Thecircuit also includes a second rectifying diode 156 connected betweenthe junction of capacitor 154 and diode 152 and one terminal of thestorage capacitor 114. A blocking diode 158 is connected between theother terminal of the storage capacitor 114 and the other side of thediode 152. in

the operation of the voltage doubler 112 the holding capacitor 154 willbe charged through the rectifying diode 152 during one half-cycle of thealternating voltage toward the peak value of voltage across secondarywinding 148. During this half-cycle the blocking diode 158 blockscurrent flow to the storage capacitor 114 and the rectifying diode 152prevents discharge of the holding capacitor 154 through its chargingcircuit following the first half-cycle. During die succeeding halfcycle,with the polarity across the secondary winding reversed, the voltagethereof is additively combined with the voltage across the holdingcapacitor 154' in series with the rectifying diode 156, the storagecapacitor 11% and the blocking diode 158. Accordingly, the storagecapacitor 114i is charged toward a voltage equal to twice the peak valueof voltage across the secondary winding. For the purpose of providing avisual indication of the operative condition of the inverter 110, a neonlamp 162 is connected across the secondary winding 148 with a seriesresistor 164i and hence is illumi nated when the inverter is running.

The discharging circuit for the storage capacitor 114 extends throughthe primary winding 166 of the voltage transforming device 116 andthence through the output, i.e., anode to cathode of the thyristor 118which preferably takes the form of a silicon controlled rectitier. As iswell known, a thyristor is a rectifier of the solid state semi-conductortype which becomes forwardly conductive from anode to cathode when thevoltage impressed thereacross exceeds a threshold value and when thecurrent from the gate to cathode exceeds a predetermined value. Theanode to cathode remain conductive, even after the gate to cathodecurrent is reduced to zero, so long as voltage applied thereacrossexceeds the threshold value. Thus the thyristor or silicon controlledrectifier 118 is turned on only by the requisite gate current and can beturned off only by the requisite reduction of cathode to anode voltageto quench the output.

The control means 1211 for controlling the turn-on of the thyristor 118is adapted to correlate the switching point with the value of voltageacross the storage capacitor 114. For this purpose the control circuitcomprises a voltage divider including a resistor 170 and a capacitor 172in series across the storage capacitor 114. A voltage threshold device,such as a semiconductor diode 174, poled for forward conduction, isconnected between the junction of resistor 170 and capcitor 172 and thegate of the thyristor 118. Thus the input of the thyristor 118 isconnected across the voltage divider capacitor 172 and when the voltageacross the capacitor reaches a predetermined value the diode 174 willconduct in the forward direction and the requisite turn-on current willflow from gate to cathode in the thyristor 1 18 and thereby trigger orturn-on the thyristor. This allows the storage capacitor 114 todischarge through the thyristor and the primary winding 166 of thevoltage transforming device 1 16 and thereby develop a high voltagepulse in secondary winding 176 which constitutes the high voltage outputand the terminals thereof are connected through cable .32 to the pins 48and 58 (FIG. 5). The voltage transforming means 116 preferably takes theform of a high voltage spark coil with the primary and secondarywindings having a common connection with constitutes an intermediate tapon a single coil and serves as a common return or ground conductor. Thusthe transforming means has the configuration of an autotransformer, asis commonly used for ignition coils.

Operation of the inventive high-voltage pulse generating circuit is asfollows: When the switch 130 is closed the inverter 110 is operative andproduces an alternating output voltage across the secondary winding 148.On each full cycle of the oscillator 110 the storage capacitor 114 ischarged toward a value equal to twice the peak of the alternatingvoltage across the secondary winding. During the first half-cycle thecapacitor 154 is charged and during the second half-cycle the voltageacross the capacitor 154 and the voltage across the secondary winding148 are additively combined across the storage capacitor 114, whereby itis charged toward a value equal to twice the peak voltage across thetransformer secondary. As the capacitor 1 14 is charged, the voltagethereacross is also applied across the voltage divider including theseries resistor 170 and capacitor 172. During the initial part of thischarging interval the thyristor 118 is turned off and accordingly nocurrent flows through the primary winding 166 of the coil 116. As thevoltage across the capacitor 114 rises toward its peak value the voltageacross the capacitor 172 also increases until the output of the voltagedivider 120 exceeds the threshold value for forward conduction of thediode 174. At this point the diode 174 becomes conductive and thecurrent flow from gate to cathode of the thyristor 118 is sufficient toturn on the thyristor which thereupon connects the primary winding 166directly across the storage capacitor 114. A discharging circuit is thuscompleted through the primary winding of the coil 1 16 and the resultingprimary current impulse produces a high voltage output pulse across thesecondary winding 176. The capacitor 114 is quickly discharged throughthe thyristor 118 and the thyristor is turned of in readiness for thenext cycle of operation. The turn-off or quenching of the thyristor 118is believed to be accomplished in either of two ways depending upon theoperating conditions. When the high voltage across the secondary winding176 is allowed to discharge, the energy in the capacitor is exhausted,thereby terminating current flow through the thyristor. When the highvoltage across the secondary winding is not allowed to discharge, thereflected counter electromotive force in the primary winding 166terminates the current flow through the thyristor. Thus the thyristor118 is turned off at the end of the first cycle and the succeeding cyclecommences. As previously described, the first halfcycle thereof isoperative to charge the capacitor 154 and the second half-cycle isoperative to apply the transformer secondary voltage and the voltage ofcapacitor 154 to the storage capacitor 114. When a predetermined voltageis reached, the control circuit 120 turns on the thyristor to dischargethe capacitor 114 through the primary winding 166 to produce a highvoltage pulse in the output winding 176, as previously described. Thisoperation is repetitive at a rate depending upon the time constant ofthe resistor 170 and the capacitor 172 with a maximum corresponding tothe frequency of the transistor oscillator 110. A train of high voltageoutput pulses is produced across the secondary winding of thetransforming means 116.

The train of high voltage pulses are applied through the cable 32 toelectrify the stick 10. Accordingly, the high voltage will be impressedacross the sets of conductors 22 and 24. The high voltage will also beimpressed across the electrodes 66 and 68 of the sparking device 64. Thevoltage of each pulse is high enough to cause a spark discharge betweenthe electrodes 66 and 68 but it is insufficient to cause dischargebetween the adjacent conductors 22 and 24 which are more widely spacedthan the spark gap electrodes. The sparking device 64 produces sparkdischarges of considerable intensity across the annular gap and thereflective surface of the electrode 66 enhances the visual effect.Additionally, the spark tends to wander or travel around the annulargap. The high voltage power supply is effective to tire the spark gap atthe repetition rate of the high voltage pulses which is in the audiblefrequency range and the repetitive discharges thus produce a noise inthe nature of a hissing sound. Consequently the sparking device lends amenacing appearance to the electrified stick even though the sparkingdevice itself is rather harmless.

The effectiveness of the electrified stick is provided by the highvoltage conductors 22 and 24. Although the voltage is of the order ofseveral thousand volts, the device is not lethal and does not inflictlasting injury upon the person who engages the conductors. Instead, byreason of the high voltage being applied across adjacent conductors alocalized area of the persons anatomy is directly afiected. The highvoltage power supply delivers a measured amount of electrical energy byeach discharge of the storage capacitor and hence by each pulse of highvoltage. When a person grasps the stick and his hand bridges the highvoltage conductors high voltage shocking pulses will be administered ata repetition rate corresponding to the frequency of inverter. The powersupply will function with the high voltage output in an open circuit,spark discharge or short circuit condition. Even in the short circuitmode the current drain on the battery remains substantially the same asin other modes because the capacitor discharge system of the powersupply will deliver only a metered amount of energy per pulse. The highvoltage output circuit is effectively isolated from the battery supplyin the inverter. Thus the power supply may be operated a relatively longtime without recharging the batteries.

A modification of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 4. In thismodification the invention is embodied in a garment to be worn by theuser of the device. In particular, a glove of leather or otherinsulating material is provided with a pair of conductors 202 and 204which extend in spaced relation along the length of the glove. Theconductors 202 and 204 are provided with electrical connectors 206 and208 respectively, which suitably take the form of snap fastener elementsadapted to be connectd to the high voltage power supply through aflexible cable which terminates in mating snap fastener elements, notshown. It will now be appreciated that the glove 200 may be connectedwith a high voltage power supply of the same construction as shown inFIGS. 2, 3 and 7. When the power supply is energized during the use ofthe glove for crowd control purposes the simultaneous engagement of theconductors 202 and 204 with the anatomy of a would-be assailant producesan electric shock sufficient to ward off the assailant.

Although the description of this invention has been given with referenceto a particular embodiment, it is not to be construed in a limitingsense. Many variations and modifications will now occur to those skilledin the art. For a definition of the invention reference is made to theappended claims.

The embodiments of the present invention in which an exclusive propertyor privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An electric shock weapon comprising a support member of electricallyinsulating material, a power supply, at least one pair of spacedconductors mounted on said member and being adapted for simultaneousengagement with a subject, an induction coil with a primary winding anda secondary winding, said secondary winding being connected between saidconductors, a capacitor and a charging circuit connected therewith forrecharging the capacitor after discharge thereof, said charging circuitbeing connected with said power supply, and a self-actuating switchingmeans connected in series circuit with said capacitor and the primarywinding of said coil, said switching means being effective to close saidseries circuit in response to a predetermined voltage across saidcapacitor whereby the capacitor is discharged through said primarywinding, said switching means being effective to open said seriescircuit when the capacitor is discharged whereupon the capacitor isrecharged and the conductors are energized with repetitive high voltageimpulses from said secondary winding, said impulses being ofsubstantially uniform energy content.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said support member is astick, plural pairs of spaced conductors extending lengthwise of saidstick, a first set of alternate conductors being connected together atone end and a second set of alternate conductors being connectedtogether at the opposite end.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said support member is agarment.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said support member isportable by the user, a separate con tainer enclosing said coil,capacitor, charging circuit and switching means and adapted to becarried on the person of the user, and a flexible electrical cableextending between the coil secondary winding in said container and saidconductors on said member.

5. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said charging circuitcomprises an inverter, including a battery, a voltage doubler connectedbetween the inverter and said capacitor and wherein said self-actuatingswitching means comprises a timing circuit and a thyristor with itsoutput connected in series with said capacitor and said secondarywinding and with its gate connected to said timing circuit.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 including a support bracketmounted on said container and adapted to be received in a holder carriedon the person of the user, said support bracket being provided member,and being adapted for simultaneous engagement with a subject, a pair ofspaced electrodes mounted on said member and having a spark gaptherebetween disposed exteriorly of said member so as to be readilyvisible to said subject, a high voltage pulse generator having outputterminals connected across said electrodes to produce sparkingtherebetween and connected across said conductors to apply an electricshock to a subject in engagement therewith, said conductors being spacedfar enough from each other so that no spark discharge occurs directlythrough the air therebetween, said pair of electrodes being spaced closeenough to each other so that a spark discharge occurs directly throughthe air therebetween upon each pulse from said pulse generator, thepulse generator frequency being high enough so that the spark dischargeappears to be continuous.

9. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said support member is astick, a handgrip portion at one end of said stick, plural pairs ofconductors disposed on said stick between said handgrip portion and theother end of said stick, said pair of spaced electrodes being disposedon said other end of said stick.

10. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein one of said electrodesincludes a concave portion on said other end of the stick and forms alight reflective surface, said other electrode being disposed centrallyof said one electrode, whereby light from a spark discharge between saidelectrodes is refiected by said one electrode.

1 1. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein a first set ofalternate conductors is connected to a first common connector at one endof the conductors, a second set of alternate conductors being connectedto a second common conductor at the opposite end of the conductors, oneelectrode and the first common conductor being connected to one of saidoutput terminals, and the second common connector being integral withsaid other electrode and being connected to the other of said outputterminals.

12. The invention as defined in claim 11 wherein said first commonconnector is a ring disposed around said stick and the second commonconnector having a ringshaped portion integrally connected with saidconcave portion and being disposed over the end of said stick.

13. The invention as defined in claim 12 wherein said one electrode is ametallic disc defining an annular spark gap with said first electrode.

14. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said high voltage powersupply comprises an induction coil with a secondary winding, a capacitorand a charging circuit connected therewith for recharging the capacitorafter the discharge thereof and a self-actuating switching means forconnected said capacitor across the primary winding of said coil whenthe capacitor is charged, whereby the conductors and said spacedelectrodes are energized with repetitive high voltage impulses, and saidspark gap produces a bright and noisy spark discharge.

15. An electric shock weapon comprising a stick of insulating material,a handgrip portion at one end thereof, at least one pair of conductorsmounted on the surface of said stick in spaced relation and extendingsubstantially throughout the portion of the stick from the handgripportion to the other end of the stick, said pair of conductors beingadapted for simultaneous engagement with a subject, a high voltage powersupply having output terminals connected across the pair of conductorsfor applying an electric shock to a subject in engagement with said pairof conductors, and an insulating sleeve slidably disposed upon saidstick over said conductors and being movable between a position adjacentsaid handgrip portion to a position adjacent said other end andconstituting an auxiliary handgrip portion.

16. The invention as defined in claim 15 including plural pairs ofconductors, a first set of alternate conductors being connected with afirst common connector and a second set of alternate conductors beingconnected with a second common connector, said common connectors beingconnected respectively with the output terminals of the high voltagepower supply.

17. The invention as defined in claim 16 wherein said first commonconnector is a ring disposed over said stick adjacent said handgripportion and wherein said second common connector is a ring disposed oversaid stick and adjacent the other end thereof, and said sleeve isslidably disposed between said rings.

18. The invention as defined in claim 17 including a pair of spacedelectrodes mounted on said other end of said stick and being connectedrespectively with the output terminals of said power supply.

19. The invention as defined in claim 18 wherein said high voltage powersupply comprises an induction coil with a secondary winding, a capacitorand a charging circuit connected therewith for recharging the capacitorafter discharge thereof, and a self-actuating switching means forconnecting said capacitor across the primary winding of said coil whenthe capacitor is charged, whereby said conductors and said electrodesare energized with repetitive high voltage impulses.

1. An electric shock weapon comprising a support member of electricallyinsulating material, a power supply, at least one pair of spacedconductors mounted on said member and being adapted for simultaneousengagement with a subject, an induction coil with a primary winding anda secondary winding, said secondary winding being connected between saidconductors, a capacitor and a charging circuit connected therewith forrecharging the capacitor after discharge thereof, said charging circuitbeing connected with said power supply, and a selfactuating switchingmeans connected in series circuit with said capacitor and the primarywinding of said coil, said switching means being effective to close saidseries circuit in response to a predetermined voltage across saidcapacitor whereby the capacitor is discharged through said primarywinding, said switching means being effective to open said seriescircuit when the capacitor is discharged whereupon the capacitor isrecharged and the conductors are energized with repetitive high voltageimpulses from said secondary winding, said impulses being ofsubstantially uniform energy content.
 2. The invention as defined inclaim 1 wherein said support member is a stick, plural pairs of spacedconductors extending lengthwise of said stick, a first set of alternateconductors being connected together at one end and a second set ofalternate conductors being connected together at the opposite end. 3.The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said support member is agarment.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said supportmember is portable by the user, a separate container enclosing saidcoil, capacitor, charging circuit and switching means and adapted tO becarried on the person of the user, and a flexible electrical cableextending between the coil secondary winding in said container and saidconductors on said member.
 5. The invention as defined in claim 1wherein said charging circuit comprises an inverter, including abattery, a voltage doubler connected between the inverter and saidcapacitor and wherein said self-actuating switching means comprises atiming circuit and a thyristor with its output connected in series withsaid capacitor and said secondary winding and with its gate connected tosaid timing circuit.
 6. The invention as defined in claim 5 including asupport bracket mounted on said container and adapted to be received ina holder carried on the person of the user, said support bracket beingprovided with a pair of electrical terminals connected across saidbattery and being adapted for connection with an external batteryrecharging device.
 7. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein saidstick includes a handgrip portion at one end thereof, and an insulatingsleeve slidably disposed upon said stick over said conductors and beingmovable between a position adjacent said handgrip portion to a positionadjacent the other end and constituting an auxiliary handgrip portion.8. An electric shock weapon comprising a support member of electricallyinsulating material, at least one pair of spaced elongated conductorsmounted on said member, and being adapted for simultaneous engagementwith a subject, a pair of spaced electrodes mounted on said member andhaving a spark gap therebetween disposed exteriorly of said member so asto be readily visible to said subject, a high voltage pulse generatorhaving output terminals connected across said electrodes to producesparking therebetween and connected across said conductors to apply anelectric shock to a subject in engagement therewith, said conductorsbeing spaced far enough from each other so that no spark dischargeoccurs directly through the air therebetween, said pair of electrodesbeing spaced close enough to each other so that a spark discharge occursdirectly through the air therebetween upon each pulse from said pulsegenerator, the pulse generator frequency being high enough so that thespark discharge appears to be continuous.
 9. The invention as defined inclaim 8 wherein said support member is a stick, a handgrip portion atone end of said stick, plural pairs of conductors disposed on said stickbetween said handgrip portion and the other end of said stick, said pairof spaced electrodes being disposed on said other end of said stick. 10.The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein one of said electrodesincludes a concave portion on said other end of the stick and forms alight reflective surface, said other electrode being disposed centrallyof said one electrode, whereby light from a spark discharge between saidelectrodes is reflected by said one electrode.
 11. The invention asdefined in claim 9 wherein a first set of alternate conductors isconnected to a first common connector at one end of the conductors, asecond set of alternate conductors being connected to a second commonconductor at the opposite end of the conductors, one electrode and thefirst common conductor being connected to one of said output terminals,and the second common connector being integral with said other electrodeand being connected to the other of said output terminals.
 12. Theinvention as defined in claim 11 wherein said first common connector isa ring disposed around said stick and the second common connector havinga ring-shaped portion integrally connected with said concave portion andbeing disposed over the end of said stick.
 13. The invention as definedin claim 12 wherein said one electrode is a metallic disc defining anannular spark gap with said first electrode.
 14. The invention asdefined in claim 8 wherein said high voltage power supply comprises aninduction coil with a secondary winding, a capacitor and a chargingcircUit connected therewith for recharging the capacitor after thedischarge thereof and a self-actuating switching means for connectedsaid capacitor across the primary winding of said coil when thecapacitor is charged, whereby the conductors and said spaced electrodesare energized with repetitive high voltage impulses, and said spark gapproduces a bright and noisy spark discharge.
 15. An electric shockweapon comprising a stick of insulating material, a handgrip portion atone end thereof, at least one pair of conductors mounted on the surfaceof said stick in spaced relation and extending substantially throughoutthe portion of the stick from the handgrip portion to the other end ofthe stick, said pair of conductors being adapted for simultaneousengagement with a subject, a high voltage power supply having outputterminals connected across the pair of conductors for applying anelectric shock to a subject in engagement with said pair of conductors,and an insulating sleeve slidably disposed upon said stick over saidconductors and being movable between a position adjacent said handgripportion to a position adjacent said other end and constituting anauxiliary handgrip portion.
 16. The invention as defined in claim 15including plural pairs of conductors, a first set of alternateconductors being connected with a first common connector and a secondset of alternate conductors being connected with a second commonconnector, said common connectors being connected respectively with theoutput terminals of the high voltage power supply.
 17. The invention asdefined in claim 16 wherein said first common connector is a ringdisposed over said stick adjacent said handgrip portion and wherein saidsecond common connector is a ring disposed over said stick and adjacentthe other end thereof, and said sleeve is slidably disposed between saidrings.
 18. The invention as defined in claim 17 including a pair ofspaced electrodes mounted on said other end of said stick and beingconnected respectively with the output terminals of said power supply.19. The invention as defined in claim 18 wherein said high voltage powersupply comprises an induction coil with a secondary winding, a capacitorand a charging circuit connected therewith for recharging the capacitorafter discharge thereof, and a self-actuating switching means forconnecting said capacitor across the primary winding of said coil whenthe capacitor is charged, whereby said conductors and said electrodesare energized with repetitive high voltage impulses.